Voices – Bangladesh

SBS Kathina Reflection 2014

Like all Firefly Mission trips, this trip to SBS has been a very fruitful and enjoyable one for me due to a few reasons. Firstly is because I have just finished my End-Of-Year examinations and is relaxing while awaiting my results so this trip serves as a relaxant for me and also doubles up as a reward too for finishing the school year.

Secondly, there are many new faces and each one of them brings an element of refreshment because we get to talk to different people and not just to the same old-timers. They are like patches adding their own stories to the firefly mission quilt and this in turns make Firefly Mission more interesting and less mundane.

Thirdly, this trip is filled with visits to other Buddhist Organizations like Tzu Chi on Day 1 and Nalanda on Day 4 and is therefore very rewarding to our spiritual life. These organizations show us around their “campus”, as they serve as schools for the Dharma, and even host us for delicious lunches, they also inspire us as they have done much meaningful work too and have gained many supporters, even those from overseas.

Lastly, I enjoyed this trip very much too because like all Firefly Mission trips it has successfully incorporated the elements of relax and learning into the trip itinerary. No one will forget the beautiful hotels that we stayed in especially the boutique hotel on day 1 and the five-star hotel on day 3. All in all, I took a lot out of this trip and I hope to be able to go for more trips in the near future.

Graeme participated in the alms round
Photo Credit: Bro Goh KS

Graeme (Bro Arnold's Son)

My Reflection - SBS Kathina 2014

Having been on many firefly mission trips since I was still wearing diapers, as usual, this trip did not disappoint me. It is always a delight to see the aunties and uncles who are joining our trip for the first time coming in feeling welcomed and leaving as a part of firefly mission. Words really cannot express how the members, coming from different age groups ranging from children to elderly as old as their late eighties, coming together and traveling as a whole. There is really no other word to describe it other than magical. Sure, we all have our styles and ways of travelling but we can see that we all learn to adapt and accept one another and trying our best to accommodate and help each other, and due to my limited vocabulary, this is really an understatement. To read is not enough, but to experience is really what would leave you hanging for more of firefly mission activities.

This trip was not my first trip but it was indeed one that inspired. The place that I was greatly touched is the Nalanda center which we visited on the last day. Even though it was the second time visiting Nalanda, it was by far the most memorable one as the previous trip was very vague. This visit to Nalanda brought about fresh memories which really warmed the hearts of many. First off, I admire the way the Nalandians are so welcoming and that they are ever willing to lend a helping hand, they greet you with such a sincere smile that it would melt anyone’s heart. Secondly, I also look up to the way nalandians are always trying to benefit the people by expanding their center to accommodate more people and keeping the environment so conducive. Lastly, I literally cannot express how touched I was when we were leaving. It was raining and seeing the Nalandians smiling and holding umbrellas forming sort of like a shelter for us to walk so as to make sure we don’t get wet was really a touching sight. They smiled and held the umbrella up for us for us not minding their tired arms and I really, really appreciate their efforts.

All in all, joining the Firefly Mission family is a decision that one would never regret for life. So I sincerely encourage everybody to give it a shot.

Serene (Daughter of Bro Arnold)

To keep running the nunnery is challenging. Some nuns get discouraged and leave. Likewise I get discouraged. Each time BNF came, the nuns and I are re-energized. I feel more encouraged with FFM’s support and in their valuing us. This has encouraged us and planted the seed in our mind to make the best of what we have …
--Head Monk Teacher Lama Yeshi Dorji of Shedrup Choling nunnery who founded the nunnery 10 years ago at the request of the local community, and who had compassionately donated one of his kidneys to his friend’s mother so that she could continue farming and earn a livelihood

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It is beyond our imagination that anyone would come half round the world to support us. Our spirits are uplifted and we are humbled.

Spiritual Teacher Lopen Tashi Choden of Yoesel Choling nunnery

I am relieved that from the money we received from our Singapore supporters will help to buy cooking oil, salt, eggs and lentil for the nuns’ nutrition. I never realized that when Meme (our late Spiritual Teacher) was alive, there was so much mental comfort; I never worried much about where the food items would come or anything like that but after he passed away, it worried me. Also before Firefly’s funds came in, we did not have money to buy sugar and milk for tea. The younger nuns like to drink tea with milk but we were not able to provide them the milk and sugar for their tea. But after we received the support from our Singapore donors, I was happy to be able to buy sugar and milk for the tea for the nuns and they were happy to have tea breaks. I thank our unknown donors from other side of the world for their kind support. Please tell them that the only way we can repay their generosity is by saying prayers for their well being.

BABWO Children and Bro Mong

Our Children

We are very happy for can live and study at BABWO peacefully and lighting up our lives. Thank you all Firefly Mission donors and Sun Fund, Singapore.

Parent and guardian of our children

Yes, we are also very happy for can send our children to the BABWO unless we have to difficult and our children also cannot get chance to do access education and deprived from their education rights and difficult to find the way of their brightness life. We are gratitude to BABWO and their donors.

Voice of Bro Mong

Yes of course, I feel very happy for could do something for BABWO, Firefly Mission and others in this life. It is my wholesome works. I cannot donate much but I love to help others as can as possible till the dead and give build a bridge of relationship between BABWO and Firefly Mission as if they can do their wholesome/Dana works. I myself would like gratitude to Firefly Mission and Swan Fund from my heart for their valuable kindness support. I have been done charity works and doing too. All the achieved of my wholesome/Dana are dedicated to late my beloved Mother and Father and all. Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu!

BABWO Founder President

Before did not meet with Firefly Mission, my orphanage children and I was in difficult condition. The condition of the Bangalhalia Agapara Buddhist Welfare Orphanage are changing since 2012 met the Firefly Mission in July 2011 though the Bro Mong Mong Thun Marma and receiving many kind of support from Firefly Mission such as 1st floor extended dormitory, children sponsorship program and in-kind donation; school uniform, blanket and jacket and education stationeries. It is happening by Bro Mong Mong Thun Marma for his gave built a bridge of relationship between BABWO and Firefly Mission unless still I have to live in difficult condition. I shall never forget it and blessing to all of you for your Metta.

Now I can live and looking after our orphanage children without any difficulties. Timely I can feed our children, with satisfactoriness our children are getting chance to study their education without any difficulties.
Through the BABWO the other three orphanages; Sanghamitta Saba Sangha Buddhist Orphanage, Buddha Shishu Ghar, and Buddhist Temple Orphanage are received support and donations from Firefly Mission. There are Residential Junior High School, Barbed wire fencing project and donation for foods, blankets, jacket and solar, water tank and generator. I am very happy for it. I sincerely gratitude and blessing to all of members of Firefly Mission including Swan fund, Donors, supporters and well-wishers of BABWO may happy, healthy, prosperous and live long.